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Wingles
ℹ️Practical info — Wingles
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Plan a walk around the lake landscape (Parc de Nature), which was created from the former mining area.
- Bring sturdy shoes for the nature trails around the lakes.
- Learn about the local mining history before visiting the transformed nature parks.
- Take advantage of the picnic areas by the lakes on sunny afternoons.
🍽 Food
Pack a picnic with local cheese and baguette to enjoy by the water.
Look for a local cafe near the nature park entrance for a refreshing drink and simple meals.
Pick up a rustic loaf from a bakery in the town center before heading out to nature.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Explore the local market for fresh vegetables and regional delicacies from Pas-de-Calais.
If you forgot anything for your hike, check out the local shops in the center before heading to the lakes.
Spend hours walking around the vast reclaimed lakes and forest areas.
Find a quiet pier or lakeside spot dedicated to anglers for ultimate tranquility.
Water temperature…
Wingles is a resilient town in the Pas-de-Calais department, famously part of the northern French mining basin. For much of the 20th century, its economy was driven by the coal pits, particularly Pit No. 7 of the Lens Mining Company. The town was a frontline victim during World War I, requiring total reconstruction in the 1920s. Following the decline of coal mining, Wingles underwent a spectacular environmental rebirth. The subsidence lakes, caused by the collapse of underground tunnels, were reclaimed and integrated into the Marcel-Cabiddu Nature and Leisure Park. This 250-hectare site is now one of the most popular recreational areas in the region, offering sailing, fishing, and extensive walking trails. Wingles serves as a model for post-industrial transition, successfully blending its working-class heritage with modern ecological stewardship and a high variety of community services.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: Saint-Vaast Church · Wingles Town Hall · Chapelle Saint-Druon
- Nearby: La Bassée (6 km)
- Population: ~8.840
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 55 | 53 | 41 | 59 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 52 | 65 | 71 | 74 |
Geography
Facts
- Coal Pit No. 7 was opened in 1858.
- Town suffered nearly 100% destruction in WWI.
- Current population is about 8,840 residents.
- The leisure park covers 250 hectares of land.
- Located midway between the cities of Lens and Lille.
- Twinned with the Polish town of Bialas.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Wingles (4)
Frequently asked questions
What is the main attraction for nature lovers in Wingles?
Did the town have a mining past?
Can you go fishing in Wingles?
How far is it to Lens or Lille?
Are there shopping opportunities in the center?
Wingles: where is it located?
Wingles: what is there to see?
Wingles: when is the best time to visit?
Wingles: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
